“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.“

Ephesians 3:14-21

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OCTOBER 15, 2024

God’s love reaches every corner of our experience. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we are reminded that the church is not a building. Rather, it is the family of believers, God’s people from every tribe, language, and nation.

Every time I travel to a new country, I am overwhelmed with the vast beauty of this world. I see a richness of cultures and nature that leaves me breathless. But there can be another, unadvertised side of travel: we see in the diverse places of human habitation depths of darkness, despair, and discouragement where we are confronted with a world in desperate need of a Savior.

Yet, in the midst of the brokenness of the world, our God and Father is up to something profoundly great. As Jesus says in John 5:17, My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. We are reminded that through His power and love come our rescue and restoration. The Lord is at work because of His deep love for us.

The Lord of love is also at work in us and through us. Each member of His family is called to use their spiritual gifts and God-given abilities. God desires to work in and through every believer to accomplish His good purposes. On a GO Team to Spain this past August, I reflected that missions is not so much what we do, but what God does in and through us as He transforms our hearts’ desire and we join in His will.

His glory is tangible and is calling us to deeper faith. I love the song Yahweh Will Manifest by Oasis Ministry:

“If you worship, He will manifest Himself.

If you call Him, He will manifest Himself.

If you seek Him, He will manifest Himself.“

God is with us. He hears our prayers and is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or think. He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through the Spirit and the church. May our hearts be committed to serving Him!

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

  • In what ways do you see God at work in your daily life?
  • Reflect on how God may be displaying His work in you.
  • Knowing that God works in us and through us, how can we more boldly worship and pray for our neighbors and the nations?

 

Today’s devotion is written by Sharon Kollory, a nurse and clinical informaticist who has been part of our church family since 2004. She has participated in multiple WBC GO Teams and is a member of WBC’s Missionary Personnel Team.

Church Reading Plan: Ezekiel 48; Psalm 104